5 nights, 10 people, 90++degrees (July) is it worth resort hopping to do both

[WendyLovesPeter]

We have done Disney 4 times in the last 10 years, so we have been there... not as much as many but we have been there. I would love to get some Universal/IOA time now that some of my kids are teens. There is another family joining us. If it was just my family, I would prob do arrival day and 2nd day Universal/IOA then move to WDW for 3 nights. The other family is prob willing but will stress much more on moving mid vacation to another resort.

Has anyone done this busy a trip during a hot crowded time? Is there an easy option to get us from Universal area to WDW? Like they make it super convenient with the baggage transfer and resort movement. Any experience like you have had like "oh it was no problem" or "oh I would never do that again" ... Please share

 

[disneygals]

We have changed hotels with just my family of 5 and with large groups.

We have a timeshare and the first time I double-booked one night at a Universal for the front of the line access my husband thought I was insane. After using FOTL all day, he got it!! Definitely worth it!!

(we always rent a car)

 

[damo]

Unless you are getting free dining or some other special perk at WDW, I suggest you stay onsite at Universal while you are here. Getting the unlimited express passes in the middle of summer is worth the extra price. It is also great to be able to walk back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool in the middle of the day and not worry about driving around and parking the car.

 

[orlandomama]

Just a thought here, something that I have tried successfully in the past. Have both families stay at WDW the whole time (so as not to have to move luggage and whatnot), but book one family one night at RPH (the cheapest) for one night. You get FOTL passes for all day you check in and all day you check out (after buying park tickets) and switch off room keys with the other family at rides (the ride operators only check the date, not the names, although the room keys do say adult or child). We also carried our swimsuits with us and used RPH hotel pool before going back (by taxi van) to WDW.

 

[amshowers]

We are doing a split WDW/US vacation this sept., and have done it in the past. I think it is so worth to stay onsite with fotl and especially if you are going in the summer. I have never seen it as a hassle, because fotl is so worth it. We do always have a rental car, so that makes things easier for us.